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Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794)
is called the Father of Modern Chemistry, having discovered that water
is made of hydrogen and oxygen. He also invented the analytical balance
and showed that chemical elements were neither created nor destroyed,
just combined into different compounds in chemical reactions. From this
work follows one of the most fundamental principles of physics, the
conservation of mass.
Lavoisier showed that diamonds and graphite were both forms of carbon
by burning each to make carbon dioxide. He showed that candles burning
and humans working both exhale carbon dioxide, pointing the way to understanding
biochemistry and metabolism. John Dalton deduced modern atomic theory
in 1803 based upon the quantitative work of Lavoisier.
Unfortunately, Lavoisier was also a tax farmer and part of the hated
upper class of France who were purged during the French Revolution.
Lavoisier and 27 other French noblemen were tried on the morning of
May 8, 1794, at the Place de Revolution (now Place de la Concorde),
sentenced to death and guillotined that afternoon. While others panicked
in prison awaiting trial, Lavoisier remained calm, setting an impeccable
example.
Many important people, including E. I. Du Pont, fled France to avoid
the revolution and settled in the United States and England. But Lavoisier,
although rejected by his own country, would not leave the place of his
birth and life. Lavoisier had both a wife and a mistress, which was
typical of the times. Madame Lavoisier was comfortable with the arrangement
and, according to all reports, they continued to love and care for each
other until his death. This is elegantly shown in Lavoisier’s last letter,
which he wrote to his wife on the night of May 7, 1794, in anticipation
of the next day’s events.
My dear one,
You are giving yourself a lot of trouble, exhausting yourself both
physically and emotionally, and alas, I cannot share your burden. Do
be careful that your health is not affected. That would be the greatest
of misfortunes. I have had a long and successful career, and have enjoyed
a happy existence ever since I can remember. You have contributed and
continue to contribute to that happiness every day by the signs of affection
you show me. I shall leave behind me memories of esteem and consideration.
Thus, my task is accomplished. But you, on the other hand, still have
a long life ahead of you. Do not jeopardize it. I thought I noticed
yesterday that you were sad. Why be so since I am resigned to everything?...
If you have the chance to send a few bottles of table wine, it would
be a great help to your papa who until now has been footing the bill
for all the wine.
Written by
Thomas L. Isenhour
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The
Father of Modern Chemistry